Italy's earthquakes leave economic scars in addition to death toll

Buildings damaged by the earthquake on May 30, in Novi di Modena, Italy. Following a second series of strong earthquakes across the Emilia-Romagna region yesterday the death toll has risen to 17 people with more than 15,000 displaced. A further 50 aftershocks were felt during the night, the strongest of which measured 3.54 on the richter scale.

Roberto Serra / Iguana Press - Getty Images

The clock tower of Novi di Modena damaged by the earthquake on May 30, in Novi di Modena, Italy.

Reuters reports:

Emilia Romagna, one of Italy' richest and most productive regions, was hit by a deadly magnitude 5.8 earthquake and a series of aftershocks on Tuesday, just over a week after a force 6.0 tremor in the same region.

"The earthquakes in May, which had very serious effects on people's lives, will also have prolonged consequences for some of the most important industrial regions in Italy and for an area with strong manufacturing activity," business lobby Confindustria said in an economic report. Read more.